Academic Services

Academic Advising

Effective academic advising is an essential component of an Ithaca College education. The College community is committed to providing the individual support, advice, and direction that students need to explore life and career goals and to develop educational plans. This advising relationship, as a collaborative, ongoing conversation, transcends mere course selection and attempts to assist all students as they explore academic programs, experience college life, focus on a major, and prepare for a lifetime of learning, citizenship, and service in a global community.

Each student is assigned an academic adviser from his or her school or division. The adviser maintains advisee records and provides information on major, minor, general education/distribution, and graduation requirements. The adviser also refers the student to appropriate persons or offices when extra assistance is needed and can help locate information on academic policies, procedures, and deadlines. In addition to meeting with their advisers during registration periods, students should actively seek their advisers' assistance before academic problems develop. By working closely with their advisers, students can be better informed about the wide range of educational opportunities available at the College. The most productive and enjoyable student-adviser relationships develop with frequent interaction and open communication.

Academic Achievement and Advising (AAA) Services

A network of over two dozen offices provides academic achievement and advising services to students at Ithaca College. These offices are described on the Academic Achievement and Advising Services website, www.ithaca.edu/aaa.

Summer Orientation

The Office of First Year Programs and Orientation coordinates the Ithaca College summer orientation program for parents and students. Students take placement exams, meet with an academic adviser, and register for their first-semester classes at one of the six sessions offered in June and July. Upon the College's receipt of the enrollment deposit, students receive information about registering for summer orientation. Freshman move-in day and the beginning of continuing orientation take place on the Saturday before fall classes begin.

Special Academic Opportunities

Qualified students can pursue special prestigious academic opportunities such as the Rhodes Scholarship, Truman Scholarship, Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, Minority Leaders Fellowship Program, and the All-USA Academic Team recognition. For information on the institutional nomination process and other details, contact the Office of the Provost.

OMA Academic Programs

The Ithaca Achievement Program (IAP) is a community of learners dedicated to personal and academic success. African American, Latino American, Native American, and Asian American (ALANA) students who choose to participate in this academic program receive academic support and career assistance tailored to meet their needs. They take part in a wide variety of educational, cultural, social, and community service activities to enhance their success. Students may join the IAP as entering freshmen or as rising sophomores or juniors. Entering freshmen attend a summer institute. IAP participants who obtain or maintain an annual grade point average of 3.00 or better will be recognized as "achievers" and may be eligible to receive an Ithaca Achievers Grant, renewable each year, to reduce the loan portion of their financial aid packages. (Students without loans, HEOP students, and recipients of Merit Scholarships are not eligible for this grant.)

Ithaca College also sponsors the New York State Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). HEOP provides a broad range of services to state residents who, because of academic and economic circumstances, would otherwise be unable to attend a postsecondary institution. HEOP students meet both academic and financial guidelines set by the New York State Education Department and the College.

In addition, Ithaca College sponsors the New York State Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). CSTEP provides academic enrichment and career-oriented experiences for students who are aiming for careers in science- and health-related fields or in licensed professions such as law and accounting. CSTEP students participate in internships, conduct research, and become involved with faculty or professional mentors to learn more about their areas of interest. Eligibility for CSTEP depends on a number of factors, including New York residency, ethnicity, and family income levels. For more detailed descriptions of the programs, including application procedures, see "HEOP."

Library

The primary mission of the Ithaca College library is the enhancement of teaching and learning. The library staff works to create an organization that is receptive to change, recognized for efficient management, and committed to user service and satisfaction. Librarians assist users with curricular and research information needs in person and online. Individual appointments for in-depth assistance are also available. Instructional workshops focusing on introductory and advanced research in subject areas are offered across the campus. Course-related reserve materials are also available in print and electronically.

In consultation with faculty and students, librarians develop a collection of materials in print, audio, video, film, and electronic formats, accessible through the library's research portal. The current collection contains approximately 375,000 monograph volumes, 7,000 visual recordings, and 20,000 audio recordings selected to meet the teaching and research needs of students and faculty. The library provides print and electronic access to 2,500 individual serial titles. Access is provided to approximately 10,000 serial publications via subscriptions to over 150 databases. Interlibrary loan service provides access to materials not owned by the library. The library facility supports wireless functionality and a circulating collection of laptop computers. Digital-audio reserve services, a full suite of software applications, public scanners, and enhanced electronic journal collections are additional technology-enhanced services.

The library staff is committed to continuous improvement in its services, resources, and facilities, maintaining a community dialogue on its website. Recently the library's operating hours were extended and new resources were purchased in response to student feedback. For current information on library services and resources, visit the library website: www.ithaca.edu/library.

Writing Center

The writing center, located in 228 Roy H. Park Hall, serves all students who wish to become better writers. It offers one-on-one tutorials to work on any stage of the writing process in any discipline, from brain-storming ideas to revising drafts for clarity, coherence, correctness, and documentation of sources. Assistance is also offered in improving reading comprehension and refining written English skills for international students.

Information Technology Services

All computers in the library, classrooms, campus computer labs, and other College facilities are supported by Information Technology Services (ITS). Every school in the College offers courses that include computing. Students studying such diverse topics as music theory, developmental psychology, finance, physical therapy, or writing will find opportunities to use computers for class. An extensive collection of programming languages, data analysis packages, and business programs supports the curriculum.

The ITS staff consists of a director and 58 full-time professional employees. Members of the staff provide free workshops and consulting services to Ithaca College students and faculty. The office is located in 102 Muller Hall; phone 607-274-1000.

ITS supports student computer facilities located all over the campus, containing more than 650 computers on a campuswide network. This includes Macintosh and Windows computer classrooms, along with a number of open-access labs staffed by student consultants. The largest and most popular facility is the computer complex on the first floor of Friends Hall. One of these labs is open 24 hours a day, and the others are open from early morning to late at night throughout the school year. All Ithaca College students automatically receive an account for using e-mail and storing files on a network server.

The College has installed network connections for students in all of the residence hall rooms. Students who have their own computers can use these connections for high-speed access to campus computer resources. Apogee Telecom offers three Internet access service plans for Ithaca College students, all of which provide reliable, high-speed access to on-campus networked services. The basic plan provides off-campus Internet access at 64 kbps free of charge. Students also have the choice to upgrade to one of two high-speed service plans offered at very competitive pricing.

Ithaca College has an active presence on the Internet and World Wide Web. The College's home page (www.ithaca.edu) serves as the gateway to a campuswide information system that offers a plethora of information about campus events, courses, and College services. Many courses at the College are also available from or supplemented by a special web server for course delivery (courses.ithaca.edu).

Services for Students with Disabilities

Ithaca College seeks to ensure that all students have access to its programs and activities. The Office of Affirmative Action oversees the College's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Office of Academic Support Services for Students with Disabilities assists students in accessing reasonable accommodations and in determining which accommodations are appropriate.

Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to, testing modifications, note-taking support, special parking permits, assistive technology, and assistance with class registration.

For additional information, contact the Office of Academic Support Services for Students with Disabilities at 607-274-1005 (TDD: 607-274-1767), or online at http://www.ithaca.edu/acssd.

Equity in Athletics

Under the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act of 1994 (PL 103-382), Ithaca College is required to disclose annually certain information concerning the College's intercollegiate athletics program. This information, based on the previous reporting year, is available for inspection upon request by students, prospective students, and the public at the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, 320 Job Hall, 607-274-3909.

Office of Public Safety

The security of all members of the campus community is of vital concern to Ithaca College. An annual security report provides information on personal safety and crime prevention strategies, the law enforcement authority of the Office of Public Safety, policies and procedures for reporting any crimes that may occur on campus, and crime statistics for the most recent three-year calendar period. The College will provide upon request all campus crime statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education, http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/campus.html. Further information related to the campus crime statistics may be obtained by contacting Robert Holt, director of public safety, at 607-274-3353 or the Office of Student Affairs and Campus Life at 607-274-3374.